Balinese and Old Javanese Literature as A Source in Creating the Calligraphy of Balinese Script

Abstract

The existence of Balinese script, which nowadays has become part of the Balinese people’s culture heritage, is significantly influential on the value of daily basis. Balinese script is not merely a means for written language, but has a very vital function in maintaining, fostering, preserving, and developing the overall Balinese culture. Over time, the role of Balinese script in more recent developments has also penetrated the creative industry sector through Balinese calligraphy. In related to this study, this study mainly examined the creative process of creating Balinese script calligraphy using literary sources. The main data of the study was Balinese calligraphies which its scripts were from Old Javanese literature and Balinese literature. The Old Javanese literatures were from the Kakawin Ramayana, while the Balinese literatures were from Rajah Dasa Bayu and Geguritan Salampah Laku. By quoting from Kakawin Ramayana, the Balinese calligraphy artists wanted to interpret the guidances for people to reach the right path and avoid anger, through Rajah Dasa Bayu, the artists wanted to interpret the ten holy winds that existed in the human body, and through the Geguritan Salampah Laku, the artist wanted to interpret the important of always seeking for various knowledge to enhance one’s self-development.